Tuesday, August 30, 2005

Paul McCartney's new single, "Fine Line," can now be downloaded via his site. "Unfortunately, these downloads are currently only available for PC users as they use Windows Media 9 technology." WTF? I know the guy's heard of iTMS. Let's get on it, Macca.

One of my greater regrets in my music life was missing the Guided by Voices show for some reason. Can't remember why. That makes it even more aggravating. Their last show at Chicago's Metro is being released via DVD. I guess now I can experience a bit more than simply living vicariously through my friends who saw GBV without me.

Friday, August 26, 2005

Ok, so I'm really only part of the way through The New Pornographers' Twin Cinema. Gimme a break, it just went into the Jetta's changer over lunch.

I am smitten. Again. I liked Mass Romantic, loved The Electric Version, and the 7 or so tracks on TC that provided soundtrack to my lunchy-time adventures of office supplies and gas stations gave me that extra-special feeling of holding hands for the second time. You know, first times are great, but second times (when you really like the person the hand is attached to, and when you discover the first-time feeling wasn't your imagination) are even better.

Only one song I'd maybe skip over and that one grooved into a killer tune before it was over.

Hmmmm. Sometimes music videos are very cool and can make a decent song seem great, although I can't think of an example right now. Other times, and more often than not, the opposite occurs. The examples of those are countless. I'm not sure how I feel about the not-so-subtle drama of the new Green Day video for "Wake Me Up When September Ends." You decide for yourself, but I'm not such a big fan of being bombarded with the message despite any agreement or disagreement I have with said message. On the other hand, it's no secret the message Green Day has been sending with American Idiot since it was released. I just wish the execution was more effective.

Thursday, August 25, 2005

So - who is geeked about Mates of State rolling through Ames on 28 Sep? I AM!

They'll be at the Maintenance Shop. Bad news, crazy adults...it's all ages. Mind your manners, and watch the public urination.

Their mad sound be teaching my nine-month-old C-Dog how to move since he was just a few days old. Since it's an AA show, maybe I get him up there, maybe I get him back stage, maybe I get a snapshot of MoS holding him. Maybe I just bring back an autograph for his scrapbook.

Fast Fashion - no? - Fashion News? - blecch - Depeche Mode released a new single on iTunes this week. "Precious" has that classic DM sound we want to hear. New album Playing the Angel is due to be released on October 18.

Tuesday, August 23, 2005

Paul McCartney has posted two more new songs on his website (must be a registered user to hear): Jenny Wren and Promise to You Girl. On first listen: pleasant, but not mindblowing. Must give them more time soon.

Wednesday, August 17, 2005

If you haven't sampled Bleu yet, you must. Redhead is one of my favorite "power pop" releases of the past few years. He's great because he doesn't go to any lengths to look or sound "cool" and does not follow any particular trends. When I say "pop music," Bleu's Redhead is a great representation of what I mean. As we all know, a great deal of pop music can sound generic and anonymous. Bleu is quite distinctive and rises about most. He's got such a big sound. Perhaps it's his collaboration with Andy Sturmer.

Check out some demos from his upcoming release (when?) here. Download a classic below.

Now that we're over 40 years removed from the beginning of the phenomenon that was (and is) The Beatles (which occurred a decade before I was even born), and with two gone for good and the other two making "memory music," we would serve ourselves well (as music lovers who want to continue the appreciation into future generations) if we shared with our kids not only the music, but our experiences with The Beatles. Can you imagine hearing Revolver again for the first time? It's a once in a lifetime experience and something for which I envy my kids. It's not just the music. It's an entire experience that, for me, was like no other. It's unlikely we'll ever see another band like them that had such a musical and historical impact, but I'd love to be proven wrong.

This article prompted this post. It's a quick read on John Lennon and his ongoing impact. How long will he/they stay relevant? Is he/are they still relevant? It's a good read.

Fiona Appleemerges after a six-year hiatus. I'm a bit disappointed that she's abandoned most of Jon Brion's work. His work on When the Pawn... tempered its pretentious title and Apple's eccentricities. And I've enjoyed what I've heard of the leaked early version of the album. Nonetheless, I'll be sure to check out the streams and iTunes downloads.

Wednesday, August 03, 2005

I guess I haven't been drinking enough lately. That's an easy problem to fix.

I just recently reinvigorated my appreciation for one of the 80s and 90s least appreciated bands, The House of Love. And behold, a new CD was released this year! If only it didn't cost so much for the transatlantic shipment.

Could Shine On be one of the least-heard best songs of all time? Does that even make sense?